Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Viral 1985 NDA Photo Shows Two Future Service Chiefs
A photo from 1985 shows two young officers leaving India's National Defence Academy.
They were classmates in the academy's 69th course and belonged to Foxtrot Squadron.
Their names are Dhiraj Seth and Ashutosh Dixit.
More than 40 years later, both have reached top jobs in India's armed forces.
Seth became chief of the Indian Army in June 2026.
Dixit is expected to become chief of the Indian Air Force in October.
The article says this is the first time two coursemates from the same course and squadron have led those services at the same time.
The old photograph has recently spread widely online.
A photograph of two 69th-course National Defence Academy graduates from December 1985 has gone viral.
The former Foxtrot Squadron coursemates are General Dhiraj Seth and Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
Seth became the Indian Army chief on June 30, 2026, according to the article.
Dixit is scheduled to take over as Indian Air Force chief from Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on October 31.
The article describes them as the first coursemates from the same NDA course and squadron to lead the Army and Air Force simultaneously.
- Who
- General Dhiraj Seth and Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, former National Defence Academy coursemates.
- What
- A 1985 photograph of the two future service chiefs has gone viral.
- When
- The photograph was taken in December 1985; the article says Seth took office on June 30, 2026, and Dixit is due to take over on October 31.
- Where
- The National Defence Academy in India.
- Why
- The image is being shared as a throwback to the future chiefs' early military careers and long-standing coursemate connection.
- NDA course
- 69th course
- Photograph date
- December 1985
- Squadron
- Foxtrot Squadron
- Army chief
- General Dhiraj Seth; assumed office June 30, 2026
- Incoming Air Force chief
- Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit; scheduled to take over October 31
- Dixit's flying experience
- More than 3,500 hours across several fighter aircraft
- Outgoing Air Force chief
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh